Snap connector



Aug. 4, 1942. c. A. GOODWIN SNAP CONNECTOR Filed July 12, 1941 /8 I] 2/ v 20 2/ Z0 NVENTOR MA, 4- jaw ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1942 SNAP CONNECTOR Charles A. Goodwin, East Providence, R. L, as-

signor to Frank Morrow 00., Inc., a corporation of Rhode Island Application July 12, 1941, Serial No. 402,165

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to the jewelry art, and has particular reference to corrections for necklaces, chains and the like.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a connector which has no detachable parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a connector which has no slidably engaging parts.

A further object of m invention is to provide a connector having a rotatable lock element which is yieldably retained in locked and unlocked position.

Still another object is to utilize a connector having a small number of readily manufactured and assembled parts.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully described in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and more specifically defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the novel connector, the connector hook being in closed position in the plane of the base;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. the connector hook being in open position at right angles to the base;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional perspective detail on the line 3--3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the stamping for the base;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pivot hook element;

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified construction;

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail of another modification; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective detail of still another modification.

It has been found desirable to provide a connector for jewelry items such as necklaces and chains, which has no detachable parts or slidably engaging parts and has no tendency to open during use. I have devised a connector which utilizes a base having two separable parts resiliently resisting separating movement and forming a square bearing in which a square pivot element is housed, whereby turning movement of the pivot element causes a snap action which yieldingly holds the pivot element in selected angular position with respect to the base, whereby one end of the pivot element may be shaped as one angular position and to be open in another angular position.

Referring to the drawing, the novel connector Ill includes a base II and a hook element l2,

5 the base comprising two folded resilient metal plates [3, l4 having their ends free to permit separation, the portions having non-circular inner grooves l5, 16, preferably rectangular, the two grooves being aligned to form an elongated bearing for the non-circular, preferably square stem 11 of the hook element l2. The upper portion of the hook element is extended laterally, as at l8, and then into a hook l9, and the plates l3, 14 have aligned cut outs 2B which form a fixed connection for receiving one end link of a necklace or chain, the lower end 2! of the hook element extending into the opening formed by the cut outs and being swaged or upset to lock the hook element against removal from the base.

As shown in Fig. 1, when the hook is parallel to the base there is no opening for attachment or removal of the other necklace or chain end link; when the hook element is turned 90, to snap into position shown in Fig. 2, the hook is open to receive or to remove a chain end link. When in closed position there is no tendency to open the connector, as the pull is linear, and not rotative.

The connector is thus a very simple arrangement, utilizing the resistance to spreading of a folded resilient metal base to provide a yielding square bearing for a square hook element stem to thus provide a snap grip for resiliently re- 5 taining the hook element in parallel and in perpendicular relation to the base.

The base is preferably made from a metal stamping of the form shown in Fig. 4, having the grooves 15, I6 and the cut-outs 20, the stamping 40 being bent as shown in Fig. 3. This construction provides a resilient lock grip Which has a resilience depending on the metal used, its thickness, and the distance or spacing from the bearing to the fold of the base. If the strength of the grip is desired increased, one plate I 4a, see Fig. 6, may be provided with a lip Mb, which locks the edge of the other =plate l3a to control the amount of separating yield.

In certain constructions where a very strong, tenacious grip is desired, the base may be formed from tubular stock, see Fig. 7, comprising a flattened metal tube 22 which has inner aligned linear grooves 23, 24 to form a bearing for the hook element pivot stem. Such a construction a hook to be closed in relation to the base in is suitable for articles which should not be readily opened, such as key rings, rings for tire chains, or other heavy duty connectors, which may thus utilize the snap arrangement disclosed.

For some connectors it is desirable to have no projecting portions at one side of the base; the base may in such cases be made as shown at 25 in Fig. 8, with the bearing groove 26 for the hook element stem in one plate 21 only, the other plate 28 being flat. Other modifications will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.

The pivot stem, if desired, may have its lower end initially formed as an enlargement, to obviate bending or swaging after assembly, as the enlarged end will prevent removal after assembly. Further, the enlarged end may be made large enough to have an opening formed therein and this function as a connector ring in place of the connector opening formed in the plate. Moreover, the plate may have a central opening or recess to accommodate two independent aligned hooks positioned at each end of the plate, or one hook and one swivel connection, these having their inner ends upset or enlarged to prevent removal.

Although I have disclosed specific constructional embodiments of my invention suitable for jewelry connectors, it is obvious that the invention may be applied to connectors for other uses, by changing the size, shape, and materials used for the parts, to thus obtain snap connectors having the requisite amount of grip, and to vary the size and shape of the connectors, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a base element comprising two parts resiliently urged towards each other, said parts being shaped to provide a non-circular bearing therebetween, and a lock element having a non-circular pivot portion seated in said noncircular bearing, whereby said lock element may be rotatively snapped to be selectively positioned in parallel relation or at an angle to said base element, one of said elements having a recess, said lock element having a part cooperating with said base element to close said recess where the lock element is positioned in parallel relation to the base element, and to open said recess when the lock element is positioned at an angle to I said base element.

2. In combination, a base element comprising two parts resiliently urged toward each other, said parts being shaped to provide a non-circular bearing therebetween, and a lock element having a non-circular pivot portion seated in said noncircular bearing, whereby said lock element may be rotatively snapped to be selectively positioned in paralle1 relation or at right angles to said base element, one of said elements having a recess, said lock element having a part cooperating with said base element to close said recess where the lock element is positioned in parallel relation to the base element, and to open said recess when the lock element is positioned at right angles to said base element.

3. In combination, a base element comprising two parts resiliently urged towards each other, said parts being shaped to provide a quare bearing therebetween, and a lock element having a square pivot portion seated in said square bearing, whereby said lock element may be rotatively snapped to be selectively positioned in parallel relation or at right angles to said bas element, one of said element having a recess, said lock element having a part cooperating with said base element to close said recess where the lock element is positioned in parallel relation to the base element, and to open said recess when the lock element is positioned at right angles to said base element.

4. In combination, a base element comprising two parts resiliently urged towards each other, said parts being shaped to provide a non-circular bearing therebetween, and a lock element having a non-circular pivot portion seated in said noncircular bearing, whereby said lock element may be rotatively snapped to be selectively positioned in parallel relation or at an angle to said base element, said lock element having a hook provided with a recess, the end of said hook cooperating with said base element to close said recess when the lock element is positioned in parallel relation to the base element, and to open said recess when the lock element is positioned at an angle to said base element.

5. In combination, a base element comprising two parts resiliently urged towards each other,

said parts being shaped to provide a non-circular bearing therebetween, and a lock element having a non-circular pivot portion seated in said noncircular bearing, whereby said lock element may be rotatively snapped to be selectively positioned in parallel relation or at right angles to said base element, said lock element having a hook provided with a recess, the end. of said hook cooperating with said base element to close said recess where the lock element is positioned in f parallel relation to the base element, and to open said recess when the lock element is positioned at right angles to said base element.

6. In combination, a base element comprising two parts resiliently urged towards each other, said parts being shaped to provide a square bearing therebetween, and a lock element having a square pivot portion seated in said square bearing, whereby said lock element may be rotatively snapped to be selectively positioned in parallel relation or at right angles to said base element, said lock element having a hook provided with a recess, the end of said hook cooperating with said base element to close said recess where the lock element is positioned in parallel relation to the base element, and to open said recess when the lock element is positioned at right angles to said base element.

CHARLES A. GOODWIN. 

